Deciding to install a new air conditioner is an important investment in your home. When comparing overall costs, labor and materials must also be included. The cost of the air conditioner itself will account for most of the expense, but labor can also be quite costly, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. The following items will definitely impact how much you pay for having a new air conditioner installed. The size of the unit will ultimately determine the cost of the unit. Simply put, the larger the unit, the higher the cost. Central AC units are normally most expensive because they hook up to the duct work that runs throughout the entire home. When talking about air conditioners, the type of unit will determine how much work needs to be done during the installation process. A central air conditioning unit that is large enough to cool an entire home, may take several hours to install. Installing duct work, if needed, can be time consuming and expensive.

Air conditioner installers who don’t have to worry about the duct work can begin laying the pad for the outside unit. Once the unit is placed on the pad, incorporating the air conditioner into the home’s heating and cooling system is the next step. Certain areas of the country still offer rebates and tax credits for air conditioners that are installed in residential homes. In 2013, federal tax credits were discontinued, but many states offer rebates or tax credits for AC units that are rated for the highest energy efficiency. R-22 refrigerant, also known as “Freon,” is being phased out as of 2015, so it is important to look at air conditioners that use newer technology if you want to apply for a rebate or tax credit. See also: Arizona Department of Revenue Tax Credits One of the best ways to lower the cost of having an air conditioner installed is to have as much of the prep work done as possible before the installers get there. With labor costs, it is important to make sure everything is ready for the installation when your appointment time arrives.

With air conditioning units costing several thousand dollars you need to know exactly what size of unit you truly need to cool your home most efficiently. All in all, the total cost of an air conditioner installation for a home generally will average between $3,500 and $4, 500. At Howard Air, we will work with you to determine the right size of unit you will need and our expert technicians will handle the installation as efficiently as possible. Please contact us for more information.If you're looking to install an A/C unit to improve your home, it can be a costly process. Since temperature control is a necessity, however, you may qualify for a government rebate. If you purchase an Energy Star air conditioner, you may qualify for a tax credit from the federal government that could be worth as much as $500. To determine the cost of the actual unit, you need to measure its strength. This will hinge on the size of the space you need to cool. Once you are ready to install, ImproveNet can connect you with an A/C professional in your area for free!

Install an A/C Unit Costs Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by ImproveNet members. We are still gathering data for this location.Try changing location below or Most homeowners spent between:$3,886To$5,427outside and inside ac unit not working Number of Cost Profilesbest ac units for residential homes Most homeowners spent between:ac unit replace We are still gathering data for this location.   See specific cost in your area Enter your zip code to get started Air conditioner strength is measured in "tons," a measurement that refers to the amount of heat your A/C unit can remove in an hour. Each ton corresponds to 12,000 British thermal units (BTUs). Be careful when calculating this, because bigger isn't necessarily better.

If your unit is too large for the space of your home, it will switch on and off repeatedly, wasting energy and costing you money. If your home is 1,600 square feet, a 2.5 ton air conditioner will cool it well. This will cost between $3,000 and $5,000. There are platinum models that could potentially cost $10,000, but these are rarely necessary. If you're looking to install central air rather than a window unit, it may be cost effective to install central heating at the same time, as both usually utilize the blower from the furnace. If you already have central heat, you can use the existing fans and duct system when installing central air. Another factor that will affect the cost of central air installation is whether your home needs duct work. Older homes don't possess the ducts and vents that go along with a newer heating system. They have convection heating systems or baseboard heat, and all the ducts and vents will need to be installed. This is costly, so think about window units or a ductless split system instead.

Most people who install an air conditioner agree that spending between $300 and $400 on labor to hire a contractor is worth the extra expense just to make sure that the unit is installed properly. You'll want to hire a licensed contractor that you can trust if you truly want to improve your home. The cost of materials, supplies and equipment allowance will run you another $50 to $100. Altogether, expect to spend between $3,350 and $5,500 to install an air conditioning unit, possibly as much as $8,000-$10,000 if you need duct work. Last updated on Jul 22, 2016 Top Articles on Install an A/C Unit 5 Air Conditioning Tips To Beat The Heat This Summer Air conditioners that are not serviced properly contribute to high energy costs and less efficient home cooling. To stay cool indoors this summer, maintain your air conditioner with these tips. Video: How To Change A Furnace Filter Furnace filters ensure that your furnace is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.